1878 8TF

[ShamShield]

Having a hard time with this one. I'm not sure what is going on with the eye, kinda of a spike but not sure. There is a field die break and displacement O of OF, reverse letters, die scratches in N of UNITED, die scratch eagle right wing, obverse and reverse clashing but I don't see letter transfer, and a dot below left cotton ball. I cannot find a good example in the VAM listing please help.

[ShamShield]

More pics

[ShamShield]

More pics

[messydesk]

For 8TF always start with the beak to narrow it down to 1-17 or 18-23. For 18-23 you can quickly go through the possibilities. For 1-17 go to the engraved feathers. In many cases, that will narrow it down to just a couple. Then go through the possible obverse matches to see which it is. If you start by looking at all the cracks, scratches, and doubling on an 8TF and then try to figure it out, it'll take you a Long Time.

[ShamShield]

Thank you for the tip! I was doing it the hard way! I will use with the beak and start over.

[JohnGoldsmith]

Nice obverse crack.

[vampicker]

You could also do a search for the 'break o' that's present. I'd bet you find the base pair quickly then are just left to figure out this stage.